HONOLULU – State circuit court judge Dexter D. Del Rosario dismissed today three of eight counts against Hawaii County Mayor William P. Kenoi based upon insufficient evidence after the State of Hawaii rested its case. The three counts were for tampering with a government record; each was a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

On March 23, 2016, a Hawaii Island grand jury indicted Mayor Kenoi for two counts of felony theft, two additional counts of misdemeanor theft, and one count of false swearing, in addition to the three counts dismissed today. The charges arose from alleged conduct taking place from 2011 through 2015. Mayor Kenoi is presumed innocent of the remaining five counts unless and until a trial jury finds him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Closing arguments and the conclusion of the trial are expected to occur on October 31.